Pays Pay Rate: $24/hourPeer Support Specialist market median is ~$52k (42 jobs)

firsthand Health logo
firsthand Health
Tacoma, Washington

Peer Counselor (CORE Guide)

Peer Support SpecialistNo weekendsFull-Time
Posted 51m ago · Verified live

About the Role

M-F 8:30am-4:30pm. Community outreach for individuals with SMI. $24/hr. Tacoma, WA.

Join firsthand Health as a Peer Counselor (CORE Guide) – M-F Schedule, No Weekends in Tacoma, Washington, United States. firsthand supports individuals living with SMI (serious mental illness). Our holistic approach includes a team of peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists and clinicians.

Benefits & Compensation

  • Pay rate: $24/hr.
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Mental Wellness Coverage
  • 401(k) with company match
  • 16 weeks paid parental leave
  • 120 hours vacation annually (increases to 160 hours after 1 year)
  • Equity
  • Performance bonus potential

Work Schedule

  • Full-Time position.
  • No weekends required.

This position offers weekends off. Work with firsthand Health in Tacoma, Washington, United States.

Key Responsibilities

The Peer Counselor conducts community outreach to support individuals with serious mental illness by facilitating access to healthcare, benefits, and social resources. They act as a primary point of contact to advocate for individual needs, coordinate care, and assist with appointment scheduling and goal attainment.

Requirements

Candidates must have lived experience with mental illness or substance use disorders and possess or be willing to obtain a Peer Recovery certification within six months. A valid driver's license and proficiency with basic computer and smartphone technology are also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Peer counselingCase managementCommunity outreachCrisis interventionCare coordinationAdvocacyMental health supportSubstance abuse supportDocumentationCommunicationInterpersonal skillsEmpathyActive listeningProblem-solvingTechnical proficiency

Peer Support Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.

Position Insights

AI ANALYSIS

This role scores 4.5/10 on work-life balance for Peer Support Specialist roles.

Career trajectory: This position offers advancement within 2-3 years. The compensation analysis shows this employer pays...

Benefits analysis: Compared to 42 similar roles, this listing's benefits package ranks...

Top Peer Support Specialist Jobs

6 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution6 jobs

1
$29k
2
$35k-45k
3
$45k-55k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution6 jobs

0
1-2
0
3-4
1
5-6
5
7-8
0
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Peer Counselor – Parent Partner

YMCA Of Greater Seattle · Seattle, Washington

$22.00 – 24.00/hr
#2

155 - Breast Feeding Peer Counselor

Morris Heights Health Center · Bronx, New York

$47k
#3

Peer Counselor 2

$47K
#4

Behavioral Health Certified Peer Support Specialist

$20/hr
+ 4 more · ranked by pay
firsthand Health logo

About firsthand Health

Mental Health Care
New York, NY
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
Mental Wellness Coverage
401(k) with company match
16 weeks paid parental leave
120 hours vacation annually (increases to 160 hours after 1 year)
Equity